June 27, 1926 - Oct. 13, 2016 MIDWEST CITY Gerald was born June 27, 1926, on a farm in Prague, OK to Earl Dawkins, Sr. and Christie Lula Eaves Dawkins. He married Donna Marie Harp on Dec. 26, 1948. They have four children, Phil, Rick, Dianne and Don. Gerald attended Centerview School near Prague, OK, graduating in 1944. He served two years in U.S. Army Intelligence during World War II and was part of the 10th Armored "Tiger" Division and 45th Infantry Division, which liberated Dachau Concentration Camp. Gerald was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and European Battle Star. He graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1950 with his bachelor's degree in agricultural education and from OU in 1962 with his master's degree in education administration. He was a vocational agriculture teacher in Wanette and Dale, OK until 1957, when he worked two years at Oklahoma Farmer's Union Insurance in Oklahoma City. In 1959, he returned to teaching, first in Asher and then, in Midwest City in 1966. He taught vocational agriculture at Carl Albert Junior-Senior High and was later the vice principal. He was named principal of Carl Albert High School in 1973, and remained there until retiring from education in Dec. 1986. He also owned and operated Dawkins Insurance for over sixty years and worked in the office until Oct. 2016. Gerald valued service to community and was an active member of the Midwest City Rotary Club for over forty years, where he served as president. He was a life member and past master of the Masonic Lodge. For over thirty years, he served on the Oklahoma Educators Credit Union Board of Directors. He was a lifetime member of the America Legion and VFW, served on the Midwest City Tree Board and was a member of the Oklahoma City Post Office Advisory Board. A man of high intelligence and strong work ethic, he embodied the attributes that earned the Greatest Generation their name. Preceding him in death were his parents, Christie and Earl Dawkins; brothers, Earl, Jr. and Howard; and his daughter-in-law, Sandra Dawkins. Gerald is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Donna; their three sons, Phil, Rick, and Don; and daughter, Dianne Sweeney; and their spouses; his eight granddaughters; his nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Norma Lou Foreman. Family members will receive visitors on Monday, Oct. 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Barnes Friederich Funeral Home in Midwest City. The Funeral Service is Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Midwest City, interment following at Garden Grove Cemetery northeast of Shawnee.
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Barnes Friederich Funeral Home

1820 S Douglas Blvd, Midwest City, OK 73130

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